The Server Manager main window lets you view a detailed snapshot of the server's identity information, selected security configuration options, and installed roles and features.
The Resources and Support area of the Server Manager main window contains links that help you keep connected to the latest documentation and downloads, and let you participate in feedback programs that help improve future versions of Windows Server.
The Server Summary area
The Server Summary area displays details about the server that are especially useful during troubleshooting, such as the computer's name and network addresses, and the product ID of the operating system that is running on the computer.
From the Server Summary area, you can activate this copy of Windows, view and change network connections, change system properties, and enable and configure Remote Desktop.
The Server Summary area contains the following collapsible sub-sections:
Computer Information
The following table describes the information that is shown in the Computer Information section.
| Field Text | Data Description |
|---|---|
Full computer name: | Fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of target server |
Domain (or Workgroup if the computer is not domain-joined): | Primary Domain Name System (DNS) suffix |
<network connection name 1>: | IP address |
<network connection name 2>: | IP address |
<network connection name 3>: | IP address |
Remote Desktop status | Shows whether Remote Desktop connections are enabled or disabled; that is, whether remote computers that are running Remote Desktop can connect to this computer. |
Server Manager Remote Management | Shows whether other computers that are running Windows Server 2008 R2 can be used to manage this computer by using Server Manager. |
Product ID (if activated): | Shows the activation status for this copy of Windows. Not activated is displayed if an administrator has not provided the product key associated with this copy of Windows, or has provided a product key, but not yet activated Windows either online or by telephone. Activated is displayed, together with the Windows product ID, if an administrator has provided the correct Windows product key and activated the operating system. To activate Windows, click Activate Windows in the Actions list at the right side of the Computer Information area. |
The Do not show me this console at logon check box in the Computer Information section lets administrators prevent Server Manager from opening automatically when they log on to the computer, if they do not need to see Server Manager at every logon. This behavior can also be controlled by the Group Policy setting Local Computer Policy/Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/Server Manager/Do not display Server Manager automatically at logon.
Security Information
The following table describes the information that is shown in the Security Information section.
| Field Text | Data Description |
|---|---|
Windows Firewall status | Shows whether Windows Firewall is enabled on the server. |
Windows Update status | Shows whether the server is configured to download and install Windows software updates automatically |
Last checked for updates | Shows the most recent day and time that the server has checked for software updates. |
Last installed updates | Shows the most recent day and time that automatic software updates were installed. |
Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration (ESC) | Shows whether Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration is enabled for both members of the Administrators group and for other users. |
Commands in this section let you change your Windows Firewall, Windows automatic updating, and Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration settings. You can also search Windows Update for new roles to download and install by clicking Check for New Roles.
From the Security Information area, you can also start the Security Configuration Wizard that helps you create a security policy that can be applied to any server on the network. For more information about completing the Security Configuration Wizard, see Security Configuration Wizard documentation available at the
The Roles Summary area
The Roles Summary area of the Server Manager main window shows a list of all roles that are installed on the computer. The names of roles installed on the computer are displayed as hypertext; clicking a role name opens the Server Manager home page for managing the role.
To install additional roles, or remove existing roles, click the appropriate command in the right side margin of the Roles Summary area.
The Go to Manage Roles command in this section opens the Roles home page, on which you can find more detail about installed roles, such as which role services for the role are installed, the role's operational status, and whether event messages about the role are available to read.
For more information about the Roles home page, see Role Home Pages.
The Features Summary area
The Features Summary area of the Server Manager home page header shows a list of all features that are installed on the computer.
To install additional features, or remove existing features, click the appropriate command in the right side margin of the Features Summary area.
Adding and Removing Roles and Features
For information about how to add and remove roles, role services, and features, see Adding Server Roles and Features and Removing Server Roles and Features.